Listed below is the best free QR code readers. There are many iPhone QR code reader apps, Android QR code reader apps, Blackberry and Windows Phone QR code reader apps. I hope this list below will help you make sense of all of these. If you know of a QR code reader that you use that has not been posted, please post the QR code reader’s information in the comments below and I will work on adding it to this list.

UPDATE 07/03/2017 – The new iOS 11 now auto scans QR codes using the built-in Camera app on both the iPhone and iPad. iOS 11 is currently in public beta and is set to be released early fall of 2017. I have had some time to test this and it is amazing. I highly suggest using it.

Free QR Code Readers for all Mobile Smartphones

These QR code readers and QR code scanners work on all the major smartphones and come highly recommend. Simply download the QR code reader to your mobile device and enjoy.

NeoReader

NeoReader is a cross-OS QR code reader that scans QR codes, DataMatrix, Aztec, EAN and UPC codes. It is simple to use with an elegant UI. NeoReader saves vCards and MECARDs directly to your phone contacts. Another great feature of NeoReader is the ability to view the history of perviously scanned codes. Get it for: [iTunes] [Google Play] [Blackberry App World] [App Marketplace]

TapMedia’s QR Reader

QR Reader by TapMedia is a 100% free QR code scanner for the iPhone, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry. It only works with QR codes, however, it is fast and effective. When you open the app, it will open in real-time scanning mode ready to auto-detect a QR code. QR codes can be shared using Facebook, Twitter, Email and other social sharing sites. With it’s integrated map view and integrated web browser, QR codes can be quickly scanned and viewed without ever leaving the app. Get it for: [iTunes] [Google Play] [Blackberry App World] [App Marketplace]

i-nigma

i-nigma is a multi-code scanner capable of reading QR codes, DataMatrix and UPC/EAN codes. With their SDK, you can additional codes as well. i-nigma works well with colored and custom designed QR codes with few errors. The QR code scanner will automatically detect the code type and will open the QR code in either a browser or on a map. If the QR code is a vCard or MECARD, i-nigma will give you the option to save the data directly to your phone contacts. Share QR codes across multiple social networks or by email easily. Get it for: [iTunes] [Google Play] [Blackberry App World] [App Marketplace]

Other QR Code Readers and QR Code Scanners

iPhone QR Code Reader Apps

Optiscan ($1.99) – This one claims to be the fastest QR code scanners, however, that may not be exactly true. It is pretty quick. One unique feature with this app is it will save the QR code data so that you can pull it up later rather than having to rescan it each time. [ itunes link]

Barcode (Free) – Barcode scans QR Code and Data Matrix. The big issue I have with this one is you have to select which type of code you are scanning rather than it auto detecting it. [ itunes link]

QuickMark ($0.99) – CNET rated this app as the best QR code reader app for the iPhone. Google recommends this app as well. [ itunes link]

Quickmark (Free) – Same as the iPhone app however on Android and best of all, FREE. Reads Quick Code, QR code, UPC and Data Matrix.

Your Suggestions

Please let us know in the comment sections below what QR code readers you have found. Also, please let me know if any of the information on the QR code readers above has changed, such as price, description or links and I will get the updated as soon as possible.

I am looking for a qr code reader app that can be recommended for use on store merchandise. It must have maximum relevancy to mobile phones used in the UK. The recommendation could be printed on the merchandise alongside the qr code, but I not sure about the wording and which app to recommend.

You should have at least a quick summary of privacy information for these apps. That’s always a concern but, at the moment, this is a key issue. I am looking for a scanner to use with anonymous surveys. The idea is to pass out a series of printed QR codes which each encode a URL with a different anonymous identifier. The thing is that some of these apps want permission to your contacts list, for example, and I am afraid that this could compromise anonymity. I want to narrow down the list of possible apps to use before contacting one or two vendors to get positive assurance that they are not tracking users.

umm yeah i am not sure what you are talking about up there.. i really don’t know what a QR reader that is outputting the data through the USB to a PC as a keyboard input?.. i just don’t get this at all.. could you please explain it to me.. and yes thank you ?..

I use the BestBuzz QR Code Reader. It is the most accurate out there and I can use it on the droid or the iPhone. If you are looking for something more accurate just text BUZZ to 635-66 and you can download it easily. Well worth the download for sure.

I have a question… If I receive a QR Code in an email, and I open it in my Iphone or BB, the only option I have is “save picture”, then I have a picture of the barcode in my pictures app. Is there a reader that recognizes that the picture you just received is a barcode and gives you the option of “open with”, and then you choose the Reader ? I have seen lots of readers, but you need to scan it… Thanks!

Getting back to Bing Vision mentioned here already: if you have a Windows Phone (Mango), there is a QR reader feature built into the phone: Just touching the phone’s search button (magnifying glass, bottom right), then tapping the eye icon on the bottom opens a scanner which identifies barcodes, QR codes and Microsoft Tags (it also does OCR, to some level). I’m not saying this is better or worse than any other QR app out there, but it should definitely be on the list so people can try it out prior to looking for apps that do the same.

Very interesting! I am surprised more phones do not have built in QR Code/Barcode readers in them. Can anyone else verify this as true? If so, I will add it to the article. Unfortunately I do not know anyone with a Windows Phone to test it for me.

Very interesting! I am surprised more phones do not have built in QR Code/Barcode readers in them. Can anyone else verify this as true? If so, I will add it to the article. Unfortunately I do not know anyone with a Windows Phone to test it for me.

Is there a reason Zappit isn’t listed here? I thought that was the most used QR Code reader? In print, we want to put a qr code in and say “download a QR Code reader to your smartphone from …..” – was going to put Zappit in for this reason but as I’ve now learned there are so many, is it better to say “from your appstore” or something?

I would say it is best to recommend from your App Store or Google Play rather than list a specific one. The other option is to find one that is on all mobile platforms and recommend it. That way if they are on Android or iPhone they will find it. Remember, iOS only has 30% of the market with Android having 50% and 20% being others (latest data from comscore). You want to make sure you pick one that everyone can find.

I would say it is best to recommend from your App Store or Google Play rather than list a specific one. The other option is to find one that is on all mobile platforms and recommend it. That way if they are on Android or iPhone they will find it. Remember, iOS only has 30% of the market with Android having 50% and 20% being others (latest data from comscore). You want to make sure you pick one that everyone can find.

So well… I tried them all. And Qrafter is really the best at this point: the pro version reads and produces all QR, never fails, is really fast and integrates automatically vcards on iphones. Which no other decent reader does…

QR code is a great invention people made. I’m making mobile apps currently and find it really cool to implement QR codes into them. I’m amazed at QR code coupons Snappii app builder allows to create. They are really helpful for small businesses.

QR Code didn’t work on my HTC EVO 4G too well. It was hit or miss with reading the QR codes. Even tried different angles but spent way too much time trying to get it to read. Based on the list above I went with the app “Barcode Scanner” by ZXing (the same app the author uses) and so far I’m having no problems. The QR codes are scanned real fast. Haven’t tried this new app too much with standard Bar Codes.

TapMedia (.co.uk) Don’t bother with any other QR Code reader! This one doesn’t do barcodes, but what it does for QR Codes is phenomenal. You can also create your own codes with this one! Easily email them, or send to Twitter or Facebook. Takes an image of a scanned code and can, if you want, recreate it so you have a ‘pure’ image. Keeps a history of those you’ve scanned or created. Absolutely fantastic and knocks spots off all the others. Create a QR Code for: Web URL Phone Number Text GEO Location Email address Mecard contact SMS

It’s called: QR Reader for iPhone (Free) or QR Reader (Premium): only $0.99 as at 16th December 2011 There is a separate barcode reader from TapMedia, if you simply must…

Hi, i want to know is it any com QR Reader for Android, Blackberry,Iphone,Window phon,Nokia.if any QR Reader is there which is common for all please let me know by mailin me at rhlrsm@gmail.com @gmail:disqus

i have yet to find a reader on WP7 that works reliably i have tried, phrase me, neoreader, quick mark, beetag, and quite a few others and not reliable at all. I do QR codes for nearly all my clients now and when i am customizing a qr code i always have to grab someone elses phone to test the design, its the only downside to the WP7 so far

Bing Vision is still avilable on Windows Phones that have WP7.5, aka Mango, installed on them. Simply open the Bing app on Windows Phone by using the Search button on your phone. Then tap the little “eye” icon at the bottom of the app. This will take you to Bing Vision which allows you to scan barcode/QR code/Microsoft Tag, covers, posters, products scanning, and OCR text translation.

This looks great. I checked out the site and looks like it is pretty cool scanner. Its only on Android but looks like they are trying to get into the iPhone Market. I will download it and play around with it and if I like it I will add it to the list above. Thanks for the suggestion!

Oops…You forgot two big players in the list: “Lynkee” and “Nigma”. I had Lynkee on my Android, now i still use it on my new Samsung Omnia on windows phone…by far the most complete IMO. FYI http://www.lynkee.com

QR READER foriPHONE by tap media is the king I use it all the time in education and for my own personal use it does EVERYTHING and I mean everything not just a reader but a creator as well Just magic – never lets me down

You may also want to add Qrafter for iPhone to your list. It has been 2 months since its release and it has already been featured in The Sunday Times of UK and has received a lot of positive critics. It is currently the highest rated QR Code reader on the App Store and it is being actively maintained and updated according to feedback from its users. You can get Qrafter from http://qrafter.com/get/

Hey guys, I’m really surprised that you did not mention one of the best or simply the best reader on the market so far: Lynkee (www.lynkee.com). I used it on my old BBerry Bold 9700 and now on iPhone 4G. Their new version on iPhone is really amazing…with lots of features I have not found elsewhere.

It’s now so easy to make sure you are getting the best price on everything you buy, just a quick scan of the barcode and you can check all the prices on line. Kinda feel sorry for the retailers though how can the compete against companies selling the same products as them online, Well as long as it saves me a couple of cents I’m happy

I just released a barcode scanning app for Windows Phone 7 called PhraseMeme Scanner. It is based on ZXing, which is the same library behind the Android Barcode Scanner. You can check it out at http://WWW.PhraseMeme.com/Scanner

Thanks Greg! I have added this product to the list. Now there are 3 QR code readers for Windows Phone 7…wow, too bad Microsoft can’t seem to open up their camera API so that developers can make a scanner in realtime rather than having to take a photo then download the photo. Heck, even the closed iPhone system allows developers that kind of access.